Nostradamus: The Man Behind the Prophecies Book

A credible and objective biography of the 'Man Who Saw Tomorrow.'

Occult figures don't often get quality scholarly biographies, but author Ian Wilson rectifies that inequality for the Middle Ages' most well-known astrologer and prophet Michel de Nostredame (or 'Nostradamus' as he is more famously known). Even if you don't buy into Nostradamus' precognitive powers, it is remarkable than a man who began life as little more than a peddler remains a household name now more than 500 years after his birth! Even in his own time, without benefit of mass media or the Internet, the name Nostradamus was known across Europe - amazing in itself! - and his ear sought by royalty, captains of industry and even religious figures.

This is not a book to appeal to occultists. Wilson steers a refreshingly clear course through Nostradamian lore - neither sycophant nor obdurate debunker -- to paint an objective, historical picture of a man who ends-up less mystical, but much more admirably industrious. Likewise, Wilson is certainly not afraid to pick at the poor scholarship of previous Nostradamians -- on both sides of the aisle! - and his end of chapter teases keep snaring me into reading just one more chapter before bed … making for a enjoyable read despite the academic density.

In fact, if there is a downside this one, it's maybe that once stripped of much of his occult mystique, Nostradamus feels a bit more like a medieval Ben Franklin than darkling sorcerer, penning almanacs over grimoires. But it's just as hard to get the feeling that he was an outright charlatan either - perhaps just an earnest practitioner of a false science.

Final Verdict: A solid biography of a fascinating historical figure. Well written and credible.

P.S. As a kid, my introduction to Nostradamus was Orson Welles and the 1981 movie The Man Who Saw Tomorrow. It scared the BEJESUS out of me! With his signature baritone, Welles (clad like a dark age occultist in black frock and fisting a cigar) prophesized the rise of a blue-turbaned anti-Christ, World War III, and the nuclear destruction of New York. I didn't sleep for a week. You can still see this creepy flick at

P.S.S. Nostradamus and I share the same birthday: December 14! I am really, really cool with that!